In today’s technology-driven environment, information systems are an important piece of business infrastructure. At the core of this is a company’s ERP architecture. These systems often provide critical services to a business operation such as procurement and demand planning, customer order processing, and data information storage. Having a cutting-edge ERP system can allow an enterprise to be more nimble in the modern marketplace.

It is for this reason that SAP introduced its newest S/4HANA suite in 2015. This is the next generation of enterprise software, and the package provides several advantages over its predecessor. But how does one go about incorporating this new infrastructure into a corporation? That can depend heavily on the current state and what system is being transitioned from. One avenue may be an upgrade from a previous generation of SAP software. Another scenario may be a move from a functionally different ERP system. Whatever initiative a company is undertaking, having a knowledgeable resource can help make the sap s 4hana migration go more smoothly.   

Basic Components of the New Edition

There have already been multiple proven benefits discussed when it comes to upgrading to the S/4HANA suite. One key feature is that the software is built to run as an integrated package that runs solely on the SAP HANA database. This differs from previous versions that could operate on other third-party backbones. Another integral attribute is the offering of a cloud edition. Adopting this type of platform can allow a company greater flexibility and may cut down on the initial costs due to the need for less hardware. There are several other rollout benefits as well:  

• Clearer and more responsive user interface.

• Increased performance throughout the suite.

• Greater security options, especially on the cloud.

• SAP will drop the support of previous versions in the year 2025.

Path for Migration

Transitioning to the SAP S/4HANA infrastructure is not a quick and easy process for any company, regardless of where the migration scenario is coming from.  There should be a well thought out plan and evaluation of how to get from the current structure to the HANA architecture. This should include an assessment of current capabilities and data storage, and what the desired future state aims to be.  

The end result should be a working Proof of Concept (PoC), which will enable a company to evaluate the changes in a sandbox environment prior to full migration. Mapping out the steps to get to this point can be intensive, which is why pairing with an experienced partner familiar with SAP systems is essential.